The Iowa State Patrol uses VHF Hi-Band for their wide area radio coverage. Each patrol car is equipped with a low powered(2 Watts) UHF repeater system that sends the audio from their VHF patrol car radio to their UHF handheld. The officers can also use the UHF handheld to communicate back to dispatch or other law enforcement personal. The VHF radio can be channel steered by the UHF handheld via PL tones.

Car to handheld radio communications PL tone will always be the same(151.4 PL). Handheld to car communications PL tone may differ depending what channel the officer is using on his VHF radio.

The UHF handheld radios are also programmed with two UHF duplex frequencies for use with the statewide portable repeaters setup for various events, ie. . . Iowa State Fair

It is also possible during events where only state patrol officers are the sole officers in the event, UHF simplex frequencies will be used if all communications can be heard by all. ie. . . Speed enforcement by airplane

It is not necessary to monitor 453.625/458.625, as this frequency is paired to work with only with the VHF car radio for the area wide communications. UHF Handheld channels F7-F10 are used separate from the VHF stuff and is recommend to monitor.